Jacob Tomsky has written 'Heads in Beds,' a memoir about the hotel industry. / James Slater

by By Craig Wilson, USA TODAY

by By Craig Wilson, USA TODAY

In Jacob Tomsky's new Heads in Beds: A Reckless Memoir of Hotels, Hustles, and So-Called Hospitality (Doubleday), the former hotel supervisor shares some sobering facts about life at a hotel.

1. What should you never touch in a hotel room?

Definitely avoid the mini-bar glasses. Housekeepers often use Pledge to clean them.

2. How do hotel employees take revenge on a guest?

Easiest thing is to put you in the worst room. In New York, that would be 1212. The phone rings all the time because you have people trying to dial out without dialing 9 first.

3. How can you get free stuff, like from the mini-bar or a movie?

I do not advocate stealing, but the mini-bar is the most disputed charge on the bill. If you call down and say you haven't had anything from the mini-bar, they'll take that off. A hotel will never accuse you of stealing. Same for the movies.

4. What's the strangest thing you've been asked to do for a guest?

There was a celebrity once who asked for a voodoo doctor, an acupuncturist and a therapist. Immediately.

5. Would you turn your car over to a hotel valet?

You kind of have to. Not much you can do. You can ask the doorman if there's a place to park it yourself, but I'd recommend you do a walk-around before handing it over.